My summer skincare routine simplified — the clean products I rely on for SPF, hydration, and glow all season long, as a 40-something who spends a lot of time outside.
These are the hottest, most humid days of summer, and the last thing I want to think about is an elaborate skincare routine. Frankly, all I want to be doing is lounging at the pool, throwing (reusable) water balloons with my boys, and eating cold watermelon.
But summer is actually when your skin needs the most intentional care — just in a different way than winter. Less is more with makeup, but more is more with protection. As a Registered Dietitian, I think about skin health the same way I think about nutrition: it’s about giving your body what it needs to function well, not about doing the most. A consistent, targeted routine beats a complicated one every time.
When it comes to summertime, I keep my skincare and makeup routine as simple as possible while still maximizing protection and hydration. Most days you’ll catch me in sunscreen, a swipe of cream blush, a gloss, and mascara — that’s it.
For the latest on all my beauty favorites, join my email newsletter or check out all my clean beauty brand swaps.
Dry Skin vs. Dehydrated Skin
Before diving into the routine, here’s something my esthetician shared with me that I think about constantly:
- Dry skin = lack of oil
- Dehydrated skin = lack of water
They look similar but they need different solutions. Summer actually causes more dehydration than dryness — sweat, sun, and salt water pull water out of your skin even if you’re not in a traditionally “dry” environment. Keep this in mind when you’re evaluating which products your skin actually needs.
Summer Skincare Routine at a Glance
AM: Rinse with water /Toner / Vitamin C serum / Moisturizer / Wonderscreen
PM: Oil cleanse / Toner / F59 Corrective Serum + Kahai Elixir / Night Cream
Add more SPF anytime I know I’ll be outside (the Wonderscreen already has it for everyday)
My Summer Skincare Routine
Step 1: Cleanse with Water (AM) or Arbequina Cleansing Oil (PM)
In the summer, I keep my morning cleanse simple — just water. My skin doesn’t need a full cleanse first thing, and over-cleansing in the heat can actually strip your skin barrier and trigger more oil production. At night is a different story. Between sunscreen layers, sweat, makeup, and general summer grime, double cleansing is a must. I start with Oliveda’s Arbequina Cleansing Oil on dry skin to dissolve everything all in one.
Step 2: Hydrate with Corrective Facial Tonic (AM + PM)
I put this on immediately after cleansing — morning and night — before my skin has a chance to feel tight. This tonic balances your skin’s pH, preps for the next steps, and gives that first hit of hydration. Spray into your hands and pat onto your face rather than spritzing directly. A drink of water for your skin.
Step 3: Serums
Apply while skin is still slightly damp from the tonic. The Vitamin C serum in the morning helps fight the free radical damage that accumulates from sun exposure throughout the day. It’s one of the most evidence-backed ingredients for skin health and I’ve used it for years. I’ve tried a lot, including Oliveda’s, and this is still my very favorite! It’s so easy to pump, gives an instant glow from the yellow hue, and smells so good. At night, the F59 anti-aging serum plus the Kahai Elixir gives skin everything it needs to repair overnight. I tend to use lighter elixirs in the summer time (and the Midnight in the winter).
Step 4: Moisturizer
You might think you need a lighter moisturizer in summer, but your skin still needs hydration — especially if you’re spending time in the sun, pool, or AC all day (which is basically its own kind of dry environment). I love the F42 for my year-round morning moisturizer, but I love it specifically for summer because it contains a natural sun protection factor built right into the formula. It’s not a replacement for your dedicated SPF, but it’s a nice extra layer of defense on days when you’re just running around town. It also targets dark spots and even skin tone, which makes it a double win for summer skin concerns.
Step 5: SPF!
Your best weapon against signs of aging will always be sunscreen. I wear two layers, a dedicated facial SPF plus a tinted moisturizer with SPF, if I know I’m going to be in the sun.
- Counter’s Daily Sheer Defense SPF is still my favorite face sunscreen. No white cast, not greasy, and it sinks in beautifully under makeup. It protects against UVA, UVB, and blue light.
- For coverage and a bronzed look, I love Dime’s Wonderscreen with SPF 30 this time of year. See my post comparing tinted moisturizer options for more on that.
Summer Skincare Tips
What to Skip in Summer
I heard this quote recently and loved it: summer is a protection season, not a correction season. A few things to set aside until fall:
Retinol and strong retinoids — these increase sun sensitivity and can cause irritation when you’re getting more UV exposure. Save aggressive retinol use for the cooler months.
Chemical peels and laser treatments — your esthetician will tell you the same thing. Anything that increases cell turnover or sensitivity is better suited to fall and winter skin.
Heavy occlusive creams at night — in humid summer weather, thick occlusive layers can trap heat and sweat and cause breakouts. Lighter hydration at night is usually enough.
Keeping Dark Spots at Bay
This is the summer skincare topic I care about most because I’ve struggled with melasma and sun spots a lot in recent years. I notice my dark spots the most in the warmer months because sun exposure accelerates hyperpigmentation — even with sunscreen on. UV rays trigger melanin production, and existing spots that faded over winter can come roaring back fast. I also think mine is heat sensitive, so wearing a hat doesn’t help as much as you might think.
Use vitamin C serum every morning. It neutralizes free radical damage from sun exposure, boosts collagen production, and visibly brightens over time. I’ve used a Vitamin C serum consistently for years and I genuinely think it’s made a difference in my overall skin tone. All Bright C Serum is my fave.
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. I know I already said it, but for dark spots specifically — no topical treatment will outperform consistent daily SPF. Vitamin C is your offense; SPF is your defense. You need both.
If hyperpigmentation is a concern for you, I also have a full post on my current skincare routine that goes deeper into the products I use year-round.
Make Your Makeup Sweat-Proof
If you’re putting on a fuller face for an event, a good primer makes all the difference in summer. I like to set any foundation with a setting spray for double staying power on hot days. The goal is to prep your skin so makeup has something to grip — primer first, powder last.
Olive Rose has both of these, and they are great:
Summer Skincare FAQs
Should I change my skincare routine in summer?
Yes — but the changes are more about lightening up your makeup and layering in protection, not overhauling everything. Your core routine (cleanse, tone, serum, moisturize, SPF) stays the same. What shifts is the texture of products, the emphasis on sunscreen, and backing off any corrective treatments.
What SPF should I wear on my face every day?
At minimum, SPF 25–30 on your face daily. I layer mine — a dedicated facial SPF plus a tinted moisturizer that also contains SPF — for extra coverage. Look for broad-spectrum formulas that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
Should I change my moisturizer in summer?
Not necessarily, but you might use less of it or opt for a lighter texture in very humid weather. The biggest mistake is skipping moisturizer altogether just because it’s warm. Your skin still needs hydration, especially if you’re in AC all day or spending time in the sun and pool.
How do I prevent dark spots from getting worse in summer?
Daily Vitamin C serum in the morning plus consistent SPF. Those two things together are your best defense. Also avoid picking at any breakouts — post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation loves summer sun.
What skincare should I avoid in summer?
Strong retinoids, chemical peels, and laser treatments are best saved for fall. Summer is a protection season, not a correction season.
Can I use the same cleanser year-round?
I do! My cleansing routine stays consistent — water in the AM, oil cleanser at PM — in both summer and winter. What changes is how much I layer on afterward.
What is double cleansing and do I really need it in summer?
Double cleansing means using an oil-based cleanser first (to dissolve sunscreen and makeup), followed by a water-based cleanser. In summer, I’d say yes — especially if you’re wearing SPF daily. Sunscreen is designed to stay on, which means a regular cleanser alone often won’t fully remove it. I don’t always do it though!
You May Also Enjoy
- How to Apply Skincare Products in the Right Order
- My Current Skincare Routine (Oliveda Review)
- The Best Safer Sunscreen
- My Winter Skin Care Routine
- All my beauty posts are here: Clean Beauty
Leave a Reply